Pipes Frozen Right Now?
Shut off your main water supply before you read anything else.
Do not wait to see if the pipe thaws on its own. Do not turn on more faucets. Shut off the water first, then read the rest of this. That one step can be the difference between a $300 service call and a $15,000 flood.
What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze in Fort Bend County
If your pipes are frozen right now, the first thing you need to do is find your main water shutoff valve and turn it off.Step 1: Shut Off Your Main Water Supply
Your main shutoff valve is usually located near the water meter, which in most Fort Bend County homes sits outside near the street or along the front of the house. It may also be inside near the water heater or under a sink. Turn it clockwise until it stops moving. If you have a lever-style valve, turn it perpendicular to the pipe. Once the water is off, open a faucet near the frozen area. This releases pressure in the line and gives water somewhere to go if the pipe has already started to crack. If you do not know where your shutoff valve is, now is the time to find it. Walk the perimeter of your home and look for a small meter box in the ground near the street. The shutoff is usually inside that box. You may need a meter key or pliers to turn it.
Near the street meter box
Inside near the water heater
Under a sink
Step 2: Figure Out Which Pipe Is Frozen
Look for these signs near a specific area of your home:
No water from one faucet while others work fine. This usually means the frozen section is in the supply line for that fixture only.
No water anywhere in the house. This typically means the freeze is in the main supply line, often where it enters the house through the garage, attic, or exterior wall.
Visible frost or condensation on an exposed pipe. This one is obvious but only applies to pipes you can actually see.
A strange bulging or cracking sound when the heat kicks on. That is a warning that the pipe is under pressure.
Step 3: How to Safely Thaw a Frozen Pipe
If the pipe has not burst yet, you may be able to thaw it yourself. Here is how to do it without causing more damage.
1
Hair Dryer
Set it to medium heat and move it back and forth along the frozen section. Start at the faucet end and work back toward the wall. Never hold it in one spot for more than a few seconds.
2
Warm Towels
Soak towels in hot water, wring them out, and wrap them around the frozen section. Rewet and repeat every few minutes. Works well for pipes in tight spaces.
3
Electric Heating Pad
Wrap it around the pipe and set it to low or medium. The safest method for pipes inside walls — steady, controlled heat rather than a concentrated blast.
What You Should Never Do
✕
No open flame near pipes. Propane torches, candles, lighters — any open flame near a pipe is a fire risk and can cause the water inside to boil, building steam pressure that bursts the pipe from the inside.
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No boiling water directly on a pipe. The extreme temperature change can crack PVC pipes and damage older copper fittings.
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Do not crank the thermostat to 90 and wait. Rapid temperature changes inside the wall can cause other pipes in the same run to expand unevenly.
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Do not ignore it and hope it thaws. Every hour a frozen pipe sits under pressure is another hour it can crack without you knowing. The damage often shows up later, when the ice melts and water flows through the break.
When You Need to Call a Plumber Right Now
Some situations are beyond DIY. Call Temper Mechanical Air and Heat immediately if any of the following is true.
You cannot locate the frozen section. If the freeze is inside a wall, under a slab, or somewhere you cannot access, a plumber has the equipment to locate and address it without tearing your house apart.
Water is already leaking. If you see water stains on a ceiling, dripping from a wall, or pooling on the floor, the pipe has already cracked. Shut off the water and call immediately.
The pipe makes a loud pop when the heat comes on. That sound is the pipe expanding against a crack. It may still be holding, but it will not hold for long.
You live in an older home with galvanized steel pipes. These corrode from the inside over time, and Fort Bend County's hard water makes that worse. A frozen pipe in an already-weakened line will fail faster than copper or PEX.
You have no water pressure at all and cannot find the frozen section. A licensed plumber can use thermal imaging to locate the freeze before any cutting or excavation is needed.
Signs a Pipe Has Already Burst
There is a difference between a frozen pipe and a burst pipe. Here is what to look for.
Water stains or discoloration on drywall, ceilings, or floors. Even a small crack in a pipe can release several gallons of water before it shows on the surface.
A hissing or rushing sound inside the wall when water is still on. This is water moving through a crack under pressure.
Soft spots in drywall or floor. This means water has been sitting there long enough to saturate the material.
A sudden spike in your water meter reading even when no fixtures are in use. If your meter is spinning with everything shut off, you have a leak somewhere.
Musty smell in a room that is not near a bathroom. This is often water sitting inside a wall that has not dried out.
What to Do After a Burst Pipe
1
Shut off the main water supply if you have not already.
2
Shut off the electricity to any area where water is present.
Water and electrical panels in the same area is a dangerous combination.
3
Call a licensed plumber to repair the break.
A burst pipe in an accessible location like a garage or under a sink typically costs $400 to $900 to repair. A pipe inside a wall or under a slab can run $800 to $1,500 or more depending on location and access.
4
Document everything with photos and video before you start cleaning up.
You will need this for your homeowner's insurance claim.
5
Call your insurance company.
Standard homeowner's insurance in Texas generally covers sudden and accidental water damage from a burst pipe. It typically does not cover damage from a slow leak that went unnoticed. The key word your adjuster will ask about is whether the damage was sudden.
6
Begin drying the area as fast as possible.
Open windows, run fans, and use a dehumidifier. The faster you get the moisture out, the less likely you are to deal with mold remediation on top of the plumbing repair.
Why Fort Bend County Pipes Are Especially Vulnerable
After Winter Storm Uri hit Texas in February 2021, Fort Bend County saw thousands of pipe failures in a single week. What made it so bad was not just the temperature — it was how long the cold lasted and how unprepared most homes were. Texas homes are built for heat. Insulation goes in the ceiling, not under floors or around pipes in attics. When temperatures dropped below 10 degrees and stayed there for days, every uninsulated pipe in an unconditioned space froze solid. Three things make Fort Bend County pipes particularly at risk compared to homes in colder states:
01
Attic-mounted plumbing and HVAC
A large number of homes in the Richmond and Sugar Land area have plumbing runs and HVAC equipment in the attic. When the attic temperature drops below 28 degrees for several hours, those pipes freeze fast. There is no heated space around them to slow the process.
02
Hard water and pipe corrosion
Fort Bend County has some of the hardest water in the Greater Houston area. Over time, mineral buildup weakens pipe walls from the inside. A pipe that is already corroded is more likely to crack under freeze pressure than a clean, newer pipe.
03
Slab foundations
Many homes in Richmond, Missouri City, and Sugar Land are built on slabs, which means some supply lines run underneath the concrete. If those lines freeze, locating and repairing them requires specialized equipment and sometimes breaking through the slab.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Frozen or Burst Pipe in Fort Bend County?
Service
Estimated Cost
Frozen pipe thawing — no damageAccessible location, pipe intact
$150 – $400
Burst pipe in an accessible areaGarage, under sink, exposed — repair only
$400 – $900
Burst pipe inside a wallDepends on how much wall needs to be opened
$600 – $1,500
Burst pipe under a slabDepends on depth and location
$1,200 – $4,000+
Water damage restorationSeparate from plumbing — drywall, flooring, framing
$1,000 – $8,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing to do if your pipes freeze?
Shut off the main water supply immediately. This is the single most important step because it prevents a frozen pipe from becoming a burst pipe. After the water is off, open a nearby faucet to release pressure, then work on locating and thawing the frozen section.
Can frozen pipes thaw on their own?
Yes, but that does not mean you should wait. A frozen pipe under pressure can crack at any point during the thaw. If you allow it to thaw without shutting off the water first, you risk a burst pipe with full water pressure behind it the moment the ice gives way. Shut off the water, then let it thaw slowly and safely.
How do I know if my pipe burst or just froze?
A frozen pipe usually means no water or very low pressure at a specific faucet. A burst pipe often shows additional signs: water stains on walls or ceilings, a hissing sound from inside the wall, soft spots in drywall, or water pooling somewhere it should not be. If you see any of these signs, shut off the water and call a plumber.
How long does it take for pipes to freeze in Texas?
Pipes can begin to freeze when outdoor temperatures stay below 28 degrees Fahrenheit for four or more hours. At temperatures below 20 degrees, the risk increases significantly. Unlike northern states where pipes have more insulation and are buried deeper, Texas pipes in attics, garages, and exterior walls are exposed to temperature drops with less protection.
What pipes are most likely to freeze in Fort Bend County?
Pipes in attics, garages, and exterior walls are the highest risk. Many homes in Richmond, Sugar Land, and Missouri City have HVAC equipment and plumbing runs in the attic, which is an unconditioned space that can reach dangerous temperatures during a hard freeze. Hose bibs and outdoor faucets are also common freeze points.
Does homeowner's insurance cover frozen pipe damage in Texas?
Standard Texas homeowner's insurance generally covers sudden and accidental water damage from a burst pipe, including the resulting drywall, flooring, and structural damage. It typically does not cover damage from a slow, gradual leak or a pipe that you knew was a problem and did not repair. Always document the damage with photos and video before cleanup begins.
Can I thaw frozen pipes myself?
You can thaw accessible pipes using a hair dryer, warm towels, or an electric heating pad. Never use an open flame. Start at the faucet end and work toward the wall. If the frozen section is inside a wall, under a slab, or in the attic, call a licensed plumber. Attempting to thaw a pipe you cannot see can cause damage that is worse than the freeze itself.
When should I call a plumber for frozen pipes?
Call a plumber if you cannot locate the frozen section, if water is already leaking, if you hear popping or cracking from inside the wall, if you live in an older home with galvanized pipe, or if you have no water pressure at all with no obvious cause. A plumber with thermal imaging equipment can locate a freeze inside a wall or under a slab without cutting into anything first.
Emergency Plumbing Available
MPL 45322
Fort Bend County
Richmond · Sugar Land · Rosenberg
Call Before a Small Problem Becomes a Big One
If your pipes are frozen right now or you want a licensed plumber to inspect your system before the next cold snap, call Temper Mechanical Air and Heat. We are licensed plumbers serving Richmond, Sugar Land, Rosenberg, Missouri City, Pearland, Stafford, and all of Fort Bend County.
(346) 485-8142
Plumber license: MPL 45322 · Want to prevent this next time? Read our guide on How to Protect Your Pipes From Freezing in Richmond TX
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